​Do you remember the Boston Celtics’ 1962 NBA Championship? Even among the most devoted Celtics fans, the number who can recall this moment in team history grows smaller as the decades pass after a title won more than sixty years ago. Yet that does not mean the championship isn’t worth remembering. Quite the opposite, in fact, because it stands as one of the nine NBA Finals series in which Boston faced its oldest and fiercest rival, the Los Angeles Lakers. The series stretched to seven games, and the Celtics ultimately prevailed thanks to the extraordinary play that defined the dynasty era, guided by Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach, led on the floor by basketball legend Bill Russell, and supported by enduring Celtics figures such as Tommy Heinsohn and many other iconic Boston names.
Celtics beat writer emeritus Bob Ryan recently shared a video capturing the storied franchise’s fifth NBA title—an achievement he reached Boston in time to experience from a different vantage point as a journalist, but not quite in time to witness the action live as it unfolded in real-time. Even so, Ryan’s recollection offers a rich connection to many of the players who helped shape that championship run. The clip invites viewers to relive the drama and triumph of a pivotal year in Celtics lore.
For those who want to dive deeper into the history and its significance, the video presents an opportunity to reflect on how the team, the era, and the city of Boston coalesced around a championship that remains a landmark in the franchise’s long and storied legacy. Listen to the podcast segment titled “Havlicek Stole the Pod,” and you can access it on multiple platforms: Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. The links are shared below for convenience.
This piece originally appeared on Celtics Wire and is designed to support better search visibility while looking back on the 1962 Boston Celtics NBA Championship. If you’re a fan of the Celtics or a student of basketball history, the 1962 title is a testament to enduring excellence, teamwork, and the timeless allure of championship basketball.